The purpose of this study is to find out if 300 mg of ATV plus 100 mg of ritonavir (RTV) works as well as 400 mg of ATV alone as part of a regimen with stavudine XR and lamivudine to slow or stop the progression of HIV infection in patients who have never used anti-HIV drugs.

Women of child-bearing potential must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 72 hours before beginning to take the study medications

Exclusion Criteria:

Unable or unwilling to use acceptable method of birth control for the entire study period including 8 weeks after the study

Women using oral contraceptives, pregnant or breastfeeding women

Women who have a positive pregnancy test on enrollment or before beginning to take the study medications

People who have a life expectancy of greater than 12 months

Newly diagnosed HIV-related OI or any medical condition requiring acute therapy at the time of enrollment

Any antiretroviral therapy within 30 days prior to screening

Any prior antiretroviral therapy (greater than 30 days of NRTI and/or greater than 7 days of non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) or protease inhibitor therapies)

Any of the following conditions: Cushings Syndrome, Gilbert's Syndrome, untreated hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, suspected primary (acute) HIV infection, obstructive liver disease, proven or suspected acute hepatitis in the 30 days prior to study entry, Intractable diarrhea (at greater than 6 loose stools per day for at least 78 consecutive days) within 30 days prior to study entry, history of hemophilia, history of acute or chronic pancreatitis, presence of cardiomyopathy (due to any cause) or any significant cardiovascular disease, such as unstable ischemic heart disease

Active alcohol or substance abuse

History or signs and symptoms of bilateral peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 2 at the time of screening

Previous therapy with myelosuppressive, neurotoxic, pancreatotoxic, hepatotoxic, or cytotoxic potential within 3 months of study start or the expected need for such therapy or therapy with methadone or ribavirin/interferons or treatment with neurotoxic drugs or drugs that affect CYP3A4

Inability to swallow capsules

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00084253